The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of small-group discussion and panel discussion as teaching and learning methods on college students' competencies of communication, problem-solving and leadership in a general education course. Participants were 52 college students, and they participated in the 13-session lessons. The data from questionnaires collected before and/or after the experiment were analyzed using a paired t-test and percent. The results were as follows. First, each 'total' competency in communication, problem-solving and leadership was increased statistically significant after the experiment. Second, in subdomains of each key competency, 'directed communication' and 'understanding the perspective of others' in communication, and 'divergent thinking', 'decision-making' and 'assessment' subdomains in problem-solving, and all subdomains in leadership were increased statistically significant after the experiment. Based on the results and students' opinions about discussions, the education implications for small-group discussion and panel discussion were discussed.